Jewel mounting



Oct. 20, 1936. SCHMIDT 2,058,358

JEWEL MOUNTING Filed May 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 [5 i B 680776 Sqfvif L Y M M 3 f0 7 A TTORNEK Oct. 20, 1936. G. SCHMIDT I JEWEL MOUNTING Filed May 28, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ill'l'.'%miiillmi.

INVENTOR 660%:76 Sckmidt Patented Oct. 20, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 21 Claims.

My invention relates generally to jewelry and particularly to mountings for interchangeably receiving jewels.

An object of my invention is to provide a novel 5,. mounting structurally characterized by simple and substantial means enabling a jewel such as an onyx or other stone as for example, to be securely locked in the mounting against displacement while rendering the stone instantly removable for the substitution of a different stone, without requiring the use of tool operated fastening devices.

An object of my invention is the provision of a novel interchangeable jewel mounting wherein a stone or jewel associated therewith is yieldingly supported in such manner that a limited movement of the stone will result should the stone be iorcibly brought in contact with an object or be otherwise struck, to thereby aid in protecting the stone against breakage or other damage.

Another object of my invention is the prevision of a novel interchangeable jewel mounting adapted to interchangeably support an ornament in overlying relation to a stone displayed by the mounting so as to permit removal of the ornament for the substitution of another, and while insuring that the ornament will be positively locked against displacement as long as the stone occupies its applied position in the mounting.

3 Another object. of my invention is to provide a novel jewel mounting in which a jewel or stone may be easily and quickly removed therefrom and another jewel or stone easily and quickly substituted therefor and which jewel mounting 35 will securely maintain the jewel in the mounting without likelihood of its being accidentally displaced therefrom.

A still further object is to provide a novel jewel mounting which may be used in conjunc- 40 tion with finger rings, lockets, bracelets, or the like, which mounting provides novel means for permitting quick and easy interchangeability of the jewel in the mounting.

The invention resides in the parts and combi 45 nations of parts hereinafter more specifically described and pointed out in the claims.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from the accompanying drawings, the subjoined detail description and the appended claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention in a form I at present deem preferable.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of one form of jewel mounting embodying my invention and shown as being associated with a finger ring.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the jewel mounting, shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational View of the jewel mounting, shown in Fig. 1. I

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the same, with the stone removed.

Fig. 5 is an end elevational view of the same with the stone removed.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal central sectional view taken on line 6--6, Fig. 3, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. '7 is a transverse sectional view takenon line 1-1, Fig. 6, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 8 is a detail view showing in side elevatio a retaining and jewel supporting member embodied in the mounting of the preceding figures.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the retaining and jewel supporting member shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a stone or jewel adapted to be applied to the mounting. I

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of a modified form of jewel mounting embodying my invention and shown as being associated with a finger ring and including a detachable overlying ornament which forms a part of my invention.

Fig. 12 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in Fig. 11. g

Fig. 13 is an end elevational view of the device shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of the mounting shown in Fig. 11, but with the ornament removed.

Fig. 15 is a longitudinal central sectional view taken on line l5l5, Fig. 13, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view taken on line |6--I6, Fig. 15, and showing the ornament in position.

Fig. 17 is a detail view showing in side elevation a jewel retaining and supporting member employed with the mounting shown in Figs.

Fig. 18 is a plan View of the retaining and supporting member shown in Fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a stone or jewel adapted to be applied to the modified form of mounting.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of an ornament adapted to be associated with the modified form of mounting.

Referring specifically to Figs. 1 to 10, inclusive,

this form of my invention is shown associated with a finger ring, although it is to be understood that the invention is equally applicable to other articles of jewelry such as lockets and bracelets. The mounting comprises a base or body I forming part of a finger encircling band 2 and being of rectangular outline in plan, with side flanges 3 and 4 and an end flange 5 projecting from the marginal edge of the base and co-acting with a decorative overlay 6 in defining a stone receiving portion or pocket I that provides an overhanging surface or ledge, and into the one open end of which a jewel such as an onyx or other stone 8 is adapted to be inserted and confined for display in the mounting.

A resilient retaining member 9 in the form of a flat strip of spring metal is adapted to be inserted into the open end of the pocket 1 between the base and the back of the stone 8. The retaining member 9 is laterally ofiset intermediate its ends to provide a latching protuberance I0 adapted to coact with a keeper on the base, this keeper being in the form of a cross bar II spanning a longitudinal slot I2 in the bottom wall of the base to one side of the band 2. A second cross bar I3 spans the slot I 2 at the opposite side of the band to provide between the two cross bars, an opening I4 into which the latching protuberance I0 is adapted to project.

The outer end of the retaining member 9 is increased in width and terminates in a flange I5 for obstructing the open end of the pocket I by co-acting with the flanges 3, 4 and 5 of the base in providing a, continuous retaining wall around the edges of the stone 8. At the opposite ends of the base, the decorative overlay 6 is provided with lateral depending projections I6 and I1 adapted to co-act with the opposite end edges I8 and I9 of the stone 8 in a manner to be described presently in the operation of the invention which is as follows:-

The stone 8 is first inserted into the open end of the pocket I until it abuts the end flange 5 so as to be symmetrically disposed beneath the decorative overlay 6 for display. The retaining member 9 is now inserted into the open end of the pocket 1 between the back of the stone 8 and the keeper formed by the cross bar II. During this inserting movement of the retaining member, its latching protuberance I ll co-acts with the keeper in flexing the member laterally so as to place the latter under stress until in the fully inserted position of the member, the latching protuberance extends into the opening I4 between the cross bars II and I3 and co-acts with the cross bar I I in releasably retaining the member against withdrawal. The member is now pressed firmly against the back of the stone 8 so as to hold the stone firmly against the under surface of the overlay B so that the locking projections I6 and I! will co-act with the end flanges 5 and I5 in preventing longitudinal displacement of the stone as long as the retaining member occupies its applied position.

Although the retaining member 9 co-acts with its keeper to securely hold the stone against displacement, it will be appreciated that the resiliency of the member and its mode of association with the keeper, renders the member yieldable laterally so that should the stone strike an object during wearing of the mounting the member will permit a limited lateral movement of the stone towards the bottom wall of the base I so as to protect the stone against breakage or other damage. The protuberance l0 co-acting with one edge of the cross-bar II tends to normally urge the member 9 into fully inserted position due to such protuberance having an inclined surface thereof that is positioned relative to cross bar II so that its resilient connection therewith will accomplish such result. Reference will now be had to Figs. 11 to 20 inclusive, illustrating a modified form of the invention, which is identical in construction and operation to the form previously described with the exception of provid ing an ornament 20 for the stone, and a simple and positive means for detachably securing the ornament on the mounting in overlying relation to the stone. A detailed description of such parts of the modified form as are identical in construction to the previous form, is believed unnecessary, but to distinguish the like parts from each other, the characters designating the parts of the modified form are provided with exponents.

The overlay 6 co-acting withthe flanges 3, 4 and 5' of the base I to define the pocket I for receiving the stone 8, is somewhat different in design from the overlay 6 previously described to provide inward projections 2| four in number and arranged in oppositely disposed pairs at spaced locations along the length of the overlay; and to form flat portions 22 against which the front face of the stone 8 is adapted to abut, as clearly shown in Figs. 11 and 15. Directly at the top surfaces of the fiat portions 22, the projections 2| are formed with slots 23 extending lengthwise of the base and terminating at one closed and in lateral branches to define recesses 24 in which correspondingly spaced lugs 25 projecting from the side edges of the ornament 20 are adapted to be received for co-action with the stone 8 in locking the ornament to the mounting in overlying relation to the stone.

By referring to Figs. 15 and 16 it will be noted that the overlay 6 is provided on its under sur face with a beveled edge 26 that co-acts with the beveled edge 21 of the stone or jewel 8 so that when the retaining member 9' is inserted into jewel retaining position the jewel 8' is forced upwardly so that its beveled edge 21 will engage the beveled edge 26 and such co-acting beveled edges 26, 21 will prevent lateral movement or shifting of the jewel 8'. The retaining member 9 is provided at its outer end and opposite flange I5 with a depending flange 28' which as seen in Fig. 15 together with flange I5 finishes the open end of the pocket I.

In the operation of this form of the invention, the ornament 20 is first applied to the mounting by positioning the ornament so that its lugs 25 rest upon the flat portions 22 of the projections 2 I, following which the ornament is shifted longitudinally of the base I until the lugs pass into the slots 23 and abut the closed ends thereof at which the recesses 24 are disposed.

The stone 8 is now inserted into the pocket I followed .by the resilient retaining member 9', the latching protuberance III of which co-acts with the cross bar I I in releasably and yieldingly retaining the member against withdrawal from the pocket. As theretaining member in its fully inserted position in the pocket, is flexed or stressed against the back of the stone 8, it will be clear that the stone will be yieldingly urged against the back of the ornament to shift the latter outwardly of the mounting until its lugs 25 enter and seat in the bottom of the respective lateral branches or recesses 24 wherein the lugs will be retained as long as the stone and retaining member are not displaced.

As will be seen in Fig. 15 when the ornament 20 is removed from the projections 2! the retaining member 9' will urge the jewel upwardly until the upper surface thereof contacts with the under surface of the projections 2| and the beveled edges 21 of the jewel 8 will contact the beveled edge 26 of the overlay 6'. However, when the ornament 20 is in place the retaining member 9' engages the lower surface of the jewel 8' and the ornament 20 is forced upwardly until the lugs 25 come into contact with the end of the lateral branches or recesses 24 and in which position the upper surface of the jewel 8 is spaced a slight distance from the under surface of the projections 2| so as to securely hold the ornament and jewel in place and arrange for variations in thickness of the jewel and ornament and also to maintain the jewel and ornament in relatively rigid relation to each other and to the mounting.

The ornament will thus be securely locked to the mounting in overlying relation to the stone yet may be readily removed for the substitution of a difierent ornament having the lugs 25, upon withdrawal of the retaining member from the pocket. Furthermore it will be appreciated that the ornament 20 may be omitted from the mounting should it be desired to do so, as the projections 2| are decorative as well as having utility so as to enhance the appearance of the overlay 6.

I claim:

1. A jewel mounting comprising a base having means defining a pocket open at one end for the insertion of a stone into the pocket; a retaining member insertable into said open end of the pocket for frictional engagement with the back of the stone; and means on the base co-acting with said member to detachably secure the lat ter to the base and against the back of the stone so as to hold the stone against displacement.

2. A jewel mounting comprising a base having means defining a pocket open at one end for the insertion of a stone into the pocket; a retaining member insertable into said open end of the pocket for frictional engagement with the back of the stone, and having a portion for obstructing said open end of the pocket in the inserted position of the member so as to confine the stone in the pocket; and means on the base with which the member co-acts to secure said member to the base and against the back of the stone so as to hold the stone against displacement.

3. A jewel mounting comprising a base having a pocket open at one end to receive a stone and to display the latter; an elongated resilient member insertable into said open end of the pocket for frictional engagement with the back of the stone; and a keeper on the base co-acting with the resilient member to latch the latter to the base under such stress against the stone as to hold the latter against displacement.

4. A jewel mounting comprising a base having a pocket open at one end to receive a stone and to display the latter; an elongated resilient member insertable into said open end of the pocket for frictional engagement with the back of the stone; and having a portion for obstructing the said open end of the pocket in the inserted position of the member so as to confine the stone in the pocket; and a keeper on the base co-acting with the resilient member to latch the latter to the base under such stress against the stone so as to hold the latter against displacement.

5. A jewel mounting comprising a base having a pocket open at one end to receive a stone and to display the latter; an elongated resilient member insertable into said open end of the pocket for frictional engagement with the back of the stone; and having a portion for obstructing the said open end of the pocket in the inserted position of the member so as to confine ,the stone in the pocket; said member having a laterally ofiset latching portion; and spaced cross bars on the base between which said laterally offset latching portion of the member is adapted to be received to latch the member to the base and under stress against the stone so as to hold the latter against displacement.

6. A jewel mounting comprising a base having a border flange and an overlay co-acting therewith to define a pocket open at one end for the reception and display of a stone in the pocket; a retaining member insertable into said open end of the pocket and having a portion obstructing said open end to confine the stone in the pocket and forming a continuation of said border flange when said member occupies its inserted position; and means for detachably securing the retaining member to the base.

'7. A jewel mounting comprising a base having a bordering flange and an overlay co-acting therewith to define a pocket open at one end for the reception and display of a stone in the pocket; a resilient member insertable into the pocket for engagement with the back of the stone and having a flange section forming a continuation of said base flange when said member occupies its inserted position; and a keeper on the base for latching said member to the base and in engagement with the stone so as to hold the stone against displacement.

8. A jewel mounting comprising a base having a bordering flange and an overlay co-acting therewith to define a pocket open at one end for the reception and display of a stone in the pocket;

a resilient member insertable into the pocket for engagement with the back of the stone and having a flange section forming a continuation of said base flange when said member occupies its inserted position; said member having a laterally offset latching portion; and a cross bar on the base with which said offset latching portion of the member co-acts to secure the member to the base under stress against the stone so as to hold the latter against displacement.

9. A jewel mounting having a stone receiving portion having an overhanging surface; a retaining member insertable into said portion for engagement with the stone; and means for latching the retaining member against displacement, with said member under stress against the stone so as to urge said stone against such overhanging surface in such direction as to secure the stone in the mounting.

10. A jewel mounting having a stone receiving portion open at one end; a resilient retaining member insertable by sliding the same intothe open end of said portion; and means for latching the retaining member against displacement, with the member under stress and correlated to the stone to secure the latter in the mounting, and being yieldable to permit the stone to yield when struck.

11. A jewel mounting having a stone receiving portion open at one end; and means slidably mounted in said portion for securing a stone in said portion; said means being yieldable so as to permit a limited movement of the stone should the latter be struck.

12. A jewel mounting having a stone receiving portion open at one end; and a resilient retaining member insertable into the open end of said portion and engageable with the back of a stone to secure the latter in said portion while permitting a limited movement of the stone should same be struck.

13. A jewel mounting having means including an overlay for defining a pocket open at one end to receive and display a stone in the pocket; a retaining member yieldably engaging the under surface of said stone for securing the stone in the pocket; and means on the overlay engageable with an end edge of the stone to lock the stone against movement towards the open end of the pocket as long as the retaining member is in place.

14. A jewel mounting having a stone receiving portion; a stone adapted to be inserted in said portion for display; means for retaining the stone against displacement; an ornament; and means on the mounting and ornament with which the stone co-acts to detachably secure the ornament to the mounting in overlying relation to the stone.

15. A jewel mounting having a stone receiving portion; a stone adapted to be inserted in said portion for display; means for retaining the stone against displacement; an ornament; and means on the mounting and ornament maintained in such interengagement by the stone as to co-act in locking the ornament to the mounting in overlying relation to the stone.

16. A jewel mounting having a stone receiving portion; a stone adapted to be inserted in said portion for display; means for retaining the stone against displacement; an ornament; the mount ing having slots provided with lateral branches; and lugs on the ornament adapted to pass through said slots into their lateral branches and to be maintained in the latter by engagement of the ornament by the stone so as to detachably secure the ornament to the mounting in overlying relation to the stone.

1'7. A jewel mounting having a stone receiving portion; a stone adapted to be inserted in said portion for display; projections on said mounting overlying a part of said stone receiving portion; an ornament having lugs co-acting with said projections; and a retaining member insertable into said portion to force said stone against said ornament and to detachably secure said stone and ornament in said mounting.

18. A jewel mounting having a stone receiving portion; a stone adapted to be inserted in said portion for display; projections on said mounting overlying a part of said stone receiving portion; there being slots provided with lateral branches in said projections; an ornament having lugs adapted to be received in said slots and lateral branches; and a retaining member insertable into said portion to force said stone against said ornament and to force said lugs into said lateral branches to detachably secure said stone in said mounting and said ornament to said projections.

19. A jewel mounting comprising a base having a stone receiving pocket open at one end for the reception and display of a stone in the pocket; a resilient member insertable into the pocket for engagement with the back of the stone and having a stone retaining portion associated therewith; said resilient member having a laterally off-set latching portion; and a cross-bar on the base with which said oiT-set latching portion of the resilient member co-acts to secure the memher to the base, and under stress against the stone so as to hold the stone against displacement in said pocket.

20. A jewel mounting having a stone receiving portion having an overhanging ledge; a stone adapted to be inserted in said portion for display; detachable means slidable into said portion for re taining the stone against displacement and against said ledge; an ornament; and means for detachably securing the ornament to the mounting, said ornament being held in place by cooperative action of said securing means and by action of said detachable means against said ornament.

21. A jewel mounting having a stone receiving portion having an overhanging ledge; a stone adapted to be inserted in said portion for display; detachable means sliclable into said portion for retaining the stone against displacement and against said ledge; an ornament; and means for detachably securing the ornament to the mounting in overlying relation to the stone, said ornament being held in place by cooperative action of said securing means and by action of said detachable means against said ornament.

GEORGE SCHMIDT. 

